> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.helix-db.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# helix chef

> For the complete documentation index optimized for AI agents, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

Bootstrap a first HelixDB app for a coding agent. `helix chef` installs agent context, scaffolds a local project, starts the local database, seeds starter data, writes a build prompt, and launches your coding agent to generate the app.

## Usage

```bash theme={"languages":{"custom":["languages/helixql.json"]}}
helix chef
```

`helix cook` is an alias for `helix chef`. The command takes no flags — it is fully interactive (and falls back to sensible defaults when run without a TTY).

<Note>
  `helix chef` uses `npx`, so **Node.js/npm must be on `PATH`** for the skills and docs-MCP install, and it needs **Docker or Podman running** to start the local database. It is intended for local development inside a coding-agent environment.
</Note>

## Authentication

The first interactive run signs you in to Helix Cloud through a GitHub device-code flow. This is used only to upload an optional, anonymized setup snapshot — the build itself does not require it.

* **Non-interactive (agents, CI, sandboxes):** when stdin is not a TTY, `helix chef` skips the login automatically and proceeds without it. The snapshot upload is simply skipped.
* **Opt out in an interactive shell:** set `HELIX_SKIP_CLOUD_AUTH=1`.
* **No-auth alternative:** to scaffold without `chef` (and without any Cloud login), run `helix init local` → `helix start dev` → `helix query dev --file …` by hand.

## What it does

1. Installs the Helix skills (`npx skills add HelixDB/skills`) and docs MCP.
2. Initializes a local project (`helix init local`) with a `dev` instance on port `6969`, then starts it in-memory.
3. Writes `HELIX_CHEF_PROMPT.md` (your build intent, or a Personal CRM default) and, for the default build, starter query files under `examples/` — then seeds the data.
4. Detects an installed coding agent (Claude Code → Codex → OpenCode), asks for a permission mode, and launches it against the build prompt.
5. Opens the generated app at `http://localhost:3000` once the agent's frontend is running.

<Note>
  `helix chef` does **not** start a local dashboard — port `3000` is reserved for the Next.js app the agent builds.
</Note>

## Interactive mode

Running `helix chef` in a terminal prompts first for:

```text theme={"languages":{"custom":["languages/helixql.json"]}}
What do you want to build?
```

Leave this blank to use the default Personal CRM build. If you provide an app idea, it is written into `HELIX_CHEF_PROMPT.md` and used to drive the agent.

Next, choose a setup mode:

| Mode            | Behavior                                                      |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Automatic setup | Runs every setup step with defaults.                          |
| Manual setup    | Lets you choose the project path and confirm each setup step. |

## Examples

```bash theme={"languages":{"custom":["languages/helixql.json"]}}
# Interactive setup
helix chef

# Skip the Cloud login (also implicit in non-interactive shells)
HELIX_SKIP_CLOUD_AUTH=1 helix chef

# Alias
helix cook
```

## Related

* [`helix init`](/cli/command-reference/init) — initialize a project without agent setup.
* [`helix start`](/cli/command-reference/start) — start a local instance.
* [`helix query`](/cli/command-reference/query) — send dynamic JSON requests.